Birdman, Wade, Oden out Sunday for Heat against Knicks

Coach Erik Spoelstra added Birdman to the team's of inactive players when he announced before Sunday's game against the New York Knicks at AmericanAirlines Arena that Andersen is dealing with minor knee and back ailments, with the game against New York the first of five scheduled for the week.

"Chris has a couple of minor issues now, his back and a bursa on his knee," Spoelstra said. "Hopefully an extra day of rest will help."

Still out for the Heat are guard Dwyane Wade, due to his hamstring issue, and center Greg Oden, due to a back issue.

"Dwyane had a really good workout again today, so he is making progress, but he's not ready yet for a game," Spoelstra said.

"Greg is also making progress. This is the best he has felt."

It left starters Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem, as the lone players available in the Heat's power rotation. Rookie center Justin Hamilton has been sidelined by a cold.

The Heat next play Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets at the conclusion of this five-game homestand.

The Heat have five games this week, leaving Spoelstra unsure whether he will be able to rest his regulars with the playoffs less than two weeks away.

"I have a calendar on my board in my office with a lot of different scenarios," Spoelstra said. "But right now, we are not going to any of those scenarios. I am probably not going to kill myself and overthink it at this point. I will handle it as it comes. This is the world we are in right now."iwinderman@tribune.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat